Comments on: Bass Amp EQ for Beginners http://bassguitarrocks.com/bass-amp-eq-for-beginners Bass guitar basics and beyond Wed, 02 May 2012 17:04:27 +0000 hourly 1 By: Mike Ippersiel http://bassguitarrocks.com/bass-amp-eq-for-beginners/comment-page-1#comment-4113 Mike Ippersiel Thu, 12 Apr 2012 14:32:01 +0000 http://bassguitarrocks.com/?p=50#comment-4113 Hi Rick, Thanks for dropping by and sharing the tidbit about the voltage regulator - that might be something I need to discuss in a future post! Who doesn't want their bass rig to sound its best while being protected at the same time? Hi Rick,
Thanks for dropping by and sharing the tidbit about the voltage regulator – that might be something I need to discuss in a future post! Who doesn’t want their bass rig to sound its best while being protected at the same time?

]]> By: Rick http://bassguitarrocks.com/bass-amp-eq-for-beginners/comment-page-1#comment-4108 Rick Tue, 10 Apr 2012 21:41:14 +0000 http://bassguitarrocks.com/?p=50#comment-4108 A very common sense article, Mike. Even with 40+ years of playing experience, I still need to be reminded every now and then of the basics. The best quote was the "less is more" one. 75% of the bassists I've ever known just can't wrap their mind around that simple little concept. A bit of advice to bassists who may not know this: Please get a voltage regulator for your rig, whether it be at your home, small club, concert hall or outdoor venue. Not only will it save your rig from voltage abuse, it will also aid you in getting the best possible sound out of your rig, not to mention extending the life of it. A very common sense article, Mike. Even with 40+ years of playing experience, I still need to be reminded every now and then of the basics. The best quote was the “less is more” one. 75% of the bassists I’ve ever known just can’t wrap their mind around that simple little concept.
A bit of advice to bassists who may not know this: Please get a voltage regulator for your rig, whether it be at your home, small club, concert hall or outdoor venue. Not only will it save your rig from voltage abuse, it will also aid you in getting the best possible sound out of your rig, not to mention extending the life of it.

]]> By: Perry Capitani http://bassguitarrocks.com/bass-amp-eq-for-beginners/comment-page-1#comment-4084 Perry Capitani Wed, 04 Apr 2012 01:29:02 +0000 http://bassguitarrocks.com/?p=50#comment-4084 Mike - Just wanted to thank Bobby P for his comments. I have been stuck with similar problems and will try his suggestions at a gig I have coming up in a few days....P Mike – Just wanted to thank Bobby P for his comments. I have been stuck with similar problems and will try his suggestions at a gig I have coming up in a few days….P

]]> By: Mike Ippersiel http://bassguitarrocks.com/bass-amp-eq-for-beginners/comment-page-1#comment-4083 Mike Ippersiel Wed, 04 Apr 2012 00:51:28 +0000 http://bassguitarrocks.com/?p=50#comment-4083 Thanks for sharing Bobby - excellent advice as well. I think the rest of the readers will enjoy hearing how you do your bass EQ sound check. I definitely agree that you should let the soundtech worry about the sound in the front of the house. As for the 'beginners' title. That's a bit of a catch 22 - I remember a few years back when I asked for "Bass Guitar for Dummies" as a Christmas gift that my mom looked at me like - YOU want that? I guess using a word like 'dummies' or 'beginners' is going to turn off some people. At the same time, I'm not a foremost expect on all things to do with audio, sound and acoustics - and the tips in this post are mainly aimed at those starting out who haven't played a parade of different venues and learned how to eq their amp on their own. Still, this is the most popular post on my site and plenty of readers have said it has helped them and that's all that matters to me. Thanks for sharing Bobby – excellent advice as well. I think the rest of the readers will enjoy hearing how you do your bass EQ sound check. I definitely agree that you should let the soundtech worry about the sound in the front of the house.

As for the ‘beginners’ title. That’s a bit of a catch 22 – I remember a few years back when I asked for “Bass Guitar for Dummies” as a Christmas gift that my mom looked at me like – YOU want that? I guess using a word like ‘dummies’ or ‘beginners’ is going to turn off some people. At the same time, I’m not a foremost expect on all things to do with audio, sound and acoustics – and the tips in this post are mainly aimed at those starting out who haven’t played a parade of different venues and learned how to eq their amp on their own. Still, this is the most popular post on my site and plenty of readers have said it has helped them and that’s all that matters to me.

]]> By: Bobby P http://bassguitarrocks.com/bass-amp-eq-for-beginners/comment-page-1#comment-4076 Bobby P Tue, 03 Apr 2012 01:35:47 +0000 http://bassguitarrocks.com/?p=50#comment-4076 1st, excellent article. Accurate information. 2nd, Almost didn't click it because of the title, because I'm not a beginner! Maybe "HOW TO EQ YOUR BASS AMP"? I'm a professional bass player with a background in acoustics and sound engineering. I'm going to amen pretty much everything in the article. One additional point: Keep away from corners if possible. Bass frequencies tend to collect there and you will find certain notes boom while others disappear. The best way I find to eq your bass in a live situation: 1st off, MAKE SURE YOU SEND AN PRE EQ SEND TO THE SOUND ENGINEER. Let them deal with what it sounds like out front. As for your stage sound: I actually start things off with all EQ knobs at minimum. With my thumb, I play the open low bass strings (E & A) and gradually turn up the bass knob until I hear it "bloom" or "swell". At this point, going any higher will result in muddiness. You may be surprised how low this is set. Then, I play around the mid register of the 2 higher strings (D & G, around 7th - 12th fret) and do the same with the mid knob. At a point you may hear it bloom, or you may not, depending on the room. Often I end up with a little cut or a little boost. With some amps, this has ending in it being fully up (passive tone stacks). Finally, I do some slapping and popping and add treble until it is pleasing. At a point it will sound dead, and then it will sound shrill and harsh. There is a sweet spot. Now when you play your bass, it may sound a bit strange on it's own. When the band kicks in, it will "sit" perfectly, you will be able to hear everything clearly. As Mike stated, this needs to be done in every different room, or even if you move your amp slightly. A tip for Tony: Make sure your amp is facing down the long direction of your church. You will have many more problem frequencies across the room rather than down the room. 1st, excellent article. Accurate information.
2nd, Almost didn’t click it because of the title, because I’m not a beginner! Maybe “HOW TO EQ YOUR BASS AMP”?
I’m a professional bass player with a background in acoustics and sound engineering.
I’m going to amen pretty much everything in the article. One additional point: Keep away from corners if possible. Bass frequencies tend to collect there and you will find certain notes boom while others disappear.
The best way I find to eq your bass in a live situation: 1st off, MAKE SURE YOU SEND AN PRE EQ SEND TO THE SOUND ENGINEER. Let them deal with what it sounds like out front.
As for your stage sound: I actually start things off with all EQ knobs at minimum. With my thumb, I play the open low bass strings (E & A) and gradually turn up the bass knob until I hear it “bloom” or “swell”. At this point, going any higher will result in muddiness. You may be surprised how low this is set.
Then, I play around the mid register of the 2 higher strings (D & G, around 7th – 12th fret) and do the same with the mid knob. At a point you may hear it bloom, or you may not, depending on the room. Often I end up with a little cut or a little boost. With some amps, this has ending in it being fully up (passive tone stacks).
Finally, I do some slapping and popping and add treble until it is pleasing. At a point it will sound dead, and then it will sound shrill and harsh. There is a sweet spot.
Now when you play your bass, it may sound a bit strange on it’s own. When the band kicks in, it will “sit” perfectly, you will be able to hear everything clearly.
As Mike stated, this needs to be done in every different room, or even if you move your amp slightly.
A tip for Tony:
Make sure your amp is facing down the long direction of your church. You will have many more problem frequencies across the room rather than down the room.

]]>